Our Services
Our approach to each client:
We value working in partnership with our clients. To this end, each project's methods, approach, and results are developed in collaboration with our clients; thus, our work is tailored to our clients' specific needs.
Our Services
Process Evaluations
Process evaluations allow for comprehensive tracking of a
program's scope and subsequent implementation. Such assessments
provide critical data on the various services that agencies offer.
Outcome Evaluations
Outcome Evaluations measure the impact or effectiveness of
a program. Findings from this assessment work offer organizations
and their funders core data on how programs impact the lives of
their clients.
Needs Assessments
Needs assessments compile comprehensive sources of data for a
variety of communities. A community could be a geographic location
or a specific entity, such as a school. Needs assessments offer data
on the current status of specific indicators such as community well
being, crime and safety, levels of economic deprivation (including
poverty rates and unemployment figures), etc.
Monitoring Community Indicators
The Data Co-Op has access to
considerable amounts of federal, state, and county data. We draw on
these and other sources to be able to track the current quality of
life in central California.
Strategic Planning
Our work at the Co-Op extends well past
specific research activities. We provide strategic planning
consulting services as they relate to organizational development,
the allocation of funds, and program design.
Grant Writing
The Data Co-Op also provides grant writing
services. Such work enables us to work with clients during the very
beginning stages of their program design - this kind of early
collaboration leads to even stronger partnerships and more powerful
deliverables once grants are funded and program work has been
initiated.
Training and Technical Assistance
Our team of highly trained
professionals offers training and technical assistance throughout
all stages of project planning and evaluation work. Typically, these
services consist of assistance with database development and
navigation.
Geographic Information Systems
(GIS) Mapping Along with a full
range of quantitative and qualitative data analysis, we offer
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping services. This powerful
tool allows us to display U.S. Census data as well as program
specific data via maps.
Database Design
We design databases either as standalone program
products or for use in evaluation efforts. These databases are built
using Microsoft Access and are constructed in collaboration with
clients.
Our Methods
Capacity
We have the capacity to implement a wide range of
up-to-date and innovative research designs. It is critical to note
that regardless of the method we employ we have our clients take
part in a collaborative review of survey documents in order to be
sure that they fully capture the scope of the program and that they
remain fully sensitive to program clients. In addition, we manage
all aspects of data collection work from instrument design and
dissemination, sampling, data collection, data entry and cleaning,
analysis, and report writing.
Data Management and Analysis
In terms of data management we use
Excel, Access, and SPSS databases to store and analyze program data.
Some clients perform their own data entry as we offer on-going
technical assistance, while others prefer that we obtain and enter
the data.
Our Methodological Approach
Our methodological approach typically involves the use of both quantitative and qualitative research methods. These methods include the following:
Questionnaires
We employ the full range of survey methods. These
include written questionnaires (with fixed, scaled, and open-ended
questions) that are disseminated via mail, in-person, telephone,
and/or via the Internet. All of these methods allow clients to
obtain data from a large sample of their program participants
Key informant interviews
Key informant interviews are often the
center of our qualitative work. These in-depth face-to-face
interviews provide a wealth of data from specific key informants.
Information obtained from these interviews lead to some of the most
concrete and detailed findings on program impact and success.
Focus groups
Focus groups (usually involving from 8 to 12
participants) serve as a powerful data collection vehicle. These
structured research conservations draw on the collective knowledge
of a full group of program participants, community stakeholders,
experts, etc. Focus groups allow for exceptionally rich data on
program implementation and effectiveness to be collected.
Case Studies
Case studies are qualitative research tools that are
used to obtain in-depth information about the experiences clients
have participating in a program. Most typically, case studies
involve a confidential review of program documents as well as
face-to-face interviews with program clients and personnel. This
approach allows the researcher to capture powerful testimonials on
program impact.
Complex Data Analysis
The Data Co-Op provides services that cover
beginning descriptive analysis to advanced statistical work.